Method and model for visual demonstration of bacteria removal on simulated tongue material

Abstract

A method of demonstrating bacteria removal from the tongue, the method comprising: providing a simulated tongue substrate comprising a plurality of projections wherein the plurality of projections are arranged to simulate the surface of a human tongue; applying a film to the surface of the simulated tongue substrate; exposing the simulated tongue substrate to a liquid; agitating the simulated tongue substrate and the liquid to at least partially remove the film, wherein a liquid-film mixture is formed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of demonstrating oral bacteria removal, the method comprising:
 providing a simulated tongue substrate comprising a plurality of projections wherein the plurality of projections are arranged to simulate the surface of a human tongue; 
 applying a film to the surface of the simulated tongue substrate; 
 exposing the simulated tongue substrate to a liquid; 
 agitating the simulated tongue substrate and the liquid to at least partially remove the film, wherein a liquid-film mixture is formed; and 
 optionally recording the application and removal of the film from the surface of the simulated tongue substrate. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the film at least partially covers at least 25% of the total number of projections. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein following the agitation step a residual film remains on the simulated tongue substrate. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the simulated tongue substrate is partially submerged in the liquid. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein greater than 50% of the film is removed after agitation in the liquid. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the simulated tongue substrate and the liquid are agitated for 15 seconds to 90 seconds. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of brushing the simulated tongue substrate before exposing the simulated tongue substrate to the liquid. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the simulated tongue substrate comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephlalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polypropylene, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid is water. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the film comprises one or more bacteria simulating components and wherein the one or more bacteria simulating components is selected from the group consisting of whipped cream, starch-based packing peanuts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. A model system for demonstrating oral bacteria removal comprising:
 a simulated tongue substrate comprising a base and a plurality of projections wherein the plurality of projections simulate the papillae of a human tongue; 
 a film wherein the film comprises one or more bacteria simulating components; 
 an agitation device; and 
 a recording device. 
 
     
     
       12. The model system of  claim 11  wherein the plurality of projections are structures selected from the group consisting of tines, ribs, domes, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The model system of  claim 11  wherein the simulated tongue substrate comprises 5 to 15 projections per square inch of the base. 
     
     
       14. The model system of  claim 11  further comprising a liquid, wherein the one or more bacteria simulating components is substantially removable in the liquid. 
     
     
       15. A model for demonstrating oral bacteria removal comprising:
 a simulated tongue substrate; and 
 a film comprising at least one bacteria simulating component; 
 wherein the simulated tongue substrate comprises a base and a plurality of projections; 
 wherein the plurality of projections are arranged to simulate the surface of a human tongue; 
 wherein the film at least partially covers the plurality of projections; 
 wherein the film is substantially removable in a liquid. 
 
     
     
       16. The model of  claim 15  wherein the simulated tongue substrate comprises 5 to 15 projections per square inch of the base. 
     
     
       17. The model of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of projections have an aspect ratio of height to diameter greater than 1. 
     
     
       18. The model of  claim 15  wherein the simulated tongue substrate has a length of 13 inches and a width of 10.5 inches. 
     
     
       19. The model of  claim 15  wherein the base defines a plurality of apertures.